Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Lynn's No-Sew Purse Pattern

Using a double weight yarn and double pointed needles..I used #5Cast on 60 stitchesSlip half of the stitches back on to the other needle.lay the needles side by siderotating one stitch from each needle...and using a third needle..place the stitches all back on one needle.this will leave the end open. You will be knitting inside out,so don't worry about how it looks.

Knit one, slip one (slip stitch MUST be slipped as if to purl) across the rowrepeat this row until your work measures 6 inches

Knit every stitch across the row for the next 6 rowsThis closes the end and forms the floor of the inside middle pocket

Knit one, slip one (slip stitch MUST be slipped as if to purl) across the rowrepeat this row until your work from this point measures 6 1/2 inches.

Starting with the needle furthest away from you,separate onto two needles by alternating one stitch to one needle and the next to anotherThis is not hard once you get the hang of it.

Take the first part of your knitting and bring it up through the centre of the two needles.Push the lining down inside the outer purse.

Your purse will be right side out and you will have 3 sections inside.Starting with the needle furthest away from you...Knit off all the stitches on one side,leaving 30 stitches on the other.

You are now working in regular knittingKnit one row, purl one row for 6 rowsknit (or purl) two together at the beginning of the next rows until you have 24 stitches on the needle.knit one row, purl one row for 6 more rows

Knit off all the stitches

Measure the length to the bottom of the purse from the bottom of the flapcut 12 threads 8 times that length

Take 4 of the threads together....fold them over and where the fold is..hold it just below .This forms a loop.

Using a crochet hook..poke through the 1st, 3rd, and fifth stitchon each end of the bottom of the flap...each time picking up a loop of 4 folded threads and pulling it through.The other end of the threads have to be pulled through that loop to attach itbut first put the ring under the loopand run the threads through the ring and then through the loop, attaching both to the purse.It sounds complicated but it really isn't.

I used square macrame' knots..looped through the bottom of the ring..added a few more knots and trimmed the threads.

For the rope, I used 12 stands of yarn. 8 times the length I wanted. Using the crochet hook,I poked through the end of the purse and through the inside section to help hold it in place as well. I picked up the loop as before.Once attached, I worked a half square knot to make a twisted rope. About half way through, I switched the inside 8 strands of yarn for the outside 8..or you will run out of yarn.When it was the desired length, I looped it through the other side of the purse and left a little fringeas I did on the front.

You have a couple of threads to weave in....and you're done. I hope you like it.If you wish to use Macrame' as I did, you can get free intructions herehttp://www.elainecraft.com/index.htmlThere are many other sites that show Macrame' knots.

You can adjust to whatever size you would like. Working with an even number of stitches makes it much easier, especially if you are not used to this method.Happy knitting and email if you need help. You may use this pattern for your own personal use, but please refer interested people to my blog or link to it if you have a blog or site of your own. Thanks